The Sims 4 - How to create Custom Content mods!

Hey guys! So I decided a few days ago to do a basic beginner tutorial on how to create custom content for The Sims 4! First I will touch base on the programs you need, what files should be saved as, and it will most be regarding RECOLORS. Once I dip my feet into full on custom creations, I'll share details on that too.

So to start out I will list the programs you're going to need to get started! There are tons of TS4 CC programs out there but through trial and error I have found the most necessary one to be S4 Studio. This is like an all in one package and is so much easier to use than the other two you can use, but don't NEED which are S4PE and ColorMagic aka CASrecolor. Basically S4 Studio is those two separate programs combined into one much neater and easier to manage program.

Next up you must remember that all files you will be using will be in .package and .dds form. In order to add the item to your game, it must be .package, so that will be your final file type. During the creation process it will be .dds. So to accomodate this, you're going to need a program which supports opening .dds and saving as .dds such as Gimp or Photoshop, with the DDS plugin (I'll include all of those too.) Or, if like me, you don't like either of those two photo manip programs, you can try paint.net which doesn't need a plugin to open .dds files. Installing the DDS file is easy, just look at the READ ME file for instructions

Now since I don't use s4pe or CASrecolor, I will just leave a video here that should help anyone interested in using it. This is after all, how I originally learned to make CC. How to use those other ones that suck.

Okay so moving on to the amazing S4 Studio! When you open it up, it's a lot more visually appealing than the other two.

You put in your creator name, which is anything you want, I use the same name as my Origin ID. Then you can select something from the bullet point options. I always choose Standalone because it's easier to find. If you choose Add CAS part swatch, it was add a little swatch to the original, where you find all the other colors, in CAS mode. The option below that will completely replace the original, which I would never recommend.

So I click "Standalone CAS part" and then I click "Create Recolor". This is where you will choose what you want to Recolor, it may take a minute to load because it literally opens every in-game CAS item available in TS4. I am going to use the filters up top to pick "Gender: Female" "Age: Adult" "Type: Clothing Body". From there I will select a dress I want to recolor and click "Next".

This is where you will save your item, be careful to save it somewhere easy to find because once your done, this file will change into your CC mod to actually put IN your game. It saves as a .package, but if that doesn't appear as the default when saving, make sure to select it.

Next you will be brought to a page that looks like this:

Spoiler

This is obviously where you will preview your item on a Sim, a feature not included in S4PE+CASRecolor. You can change the swatch colors, or import your own custom swatch which should be 32x32 .dds and saved in DXT1 format. BUT for Standalone you don't need a custom swatch. Where it shows "Texture" click "Export Texture" and save it somewhere easy to find, again. This will save as .DDS, but again, if it doesn't by default, make sure to select it.

Next minimize S4S and open up your Paint program like Gimp, Photoshop, or in my case, Paint.net. You should have already installed the DDS plugin, so now open the .DDS file you just saved.

Then change it to your heart's content. Change the color, texture, whatever you want through your program. Obviously I can't teach you that, as it's a whole other cup of tea, but if you already know how to use these programs you will be fine. Here's what I ended up with:

Spoiler

Now I save that file as .DDS and MAKE SURE it's saved as a DXT5 format. Go back to S4Studio and click "Import Texture" and open up the .DDS file you just saved. You will get this:

Spoiler

Now click SAVE! Voila. It should replace the very first thing you saved and it will be .package. To add this to your game, copy the file and paste it in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods

If you have any questions, please ask in this thread, I'll be happy to answer to the best of my ability Happy creating!